Adjustable-seat structure.



J. L EDWINKA. ADJUSTABLE SEAT STRUCTURE. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 21, 1916.

1,251,977. T Patented Jan. 1,T-191&T

2 SHEETS-SHEET l- "J. LEDWINKA.

ADJUSTABLE SEAT STRUCTURE.

I APPLICATION FILED MAIL 2h ISIS. 1,251,977.

0G 1 9 1 L m h m n T m a P 534 uchfoz QQFE N UNITED STATES PATENT, OFFICE.

JOSEPH LED'WINKA, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR 'I'O EDWARD G. BUDD MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, A COB- POBATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

ADJUSTABLE-SEAT STRUCTURE.

Specification of Letters I'atcnt.

Patented Jan. 1,1913.

Original application filed October 20, 1915, Serial No. 56,967. Divided and this application filed March 21,

1816. Serial No. 85,598.

To all whom it may concern."

Be it known that I, JOSEPH LEDWINKA, a citizen of the United States residing at Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania, have made a certain new and useful Invention in Adjustable-Seat Structures, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to adjustable seat structures.

The object of the invention is to rovide a seat structure which is simple an eflicient and wherein the vehicle seat ma be adjusted either forwardly or backwar ly and may be tilted in order to comfortably accommodate diflerent individuals, particularly in' the case of the front or driversseat for automobiles.

Other objects of the invention will appear more fully hereinafter.

The invention consists substantially in the construction, combinatlomlocatlon and relative arrangement of parts, all as will be more fully hereinafter set forth, as shown in the accompanying drawings and finally pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a broken v1ew in front elevation showing a seat structure embod ing my invention, parts of the vehicle bod shown in vertical transverse section.

Fig. 2 is a view in vertical section on the line 2, 2, Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

- Fig. 3 is a! broken detail view in horizontal section on the line 3, 3, Fig. 4.

Fig. 4 is a similar view mvertical section on the line 4, 4, Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a broken detail view in vertical sectionon the km '2, 2, Fig. 1,showing the 'manner of shiftably supporting the seat frame. Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fi 2 showing a modified construction of ad ustable-,seat

embodying the principles of my invention.

Fi 7 is a broken detail view on' the line A 7 7 is g. 6. Fig. 8 is a similar view on the-line 8, 8,

Fig. 9 is a broken detail view in front plan ofa bracket employed in connection with the y being adjustment of the seat structure shown in Fig. 6. y

ig. 10is a transverse section of the same on the line 10, 10, Fig. 9.

The same part 1s designated by the same reference numeral wherever it occurs throughout the several views.

In m pending application Serial No. 56,967, led Oct. '20, 1915, from which the subject matter of the present a plication is divided,- I have shown, describ and claimed a structure of automobile body made up of sheet metal stampings, pressed to the desired shape and contour and integrally oonnected together to form a complete body including yertical portions constituting door posts.

In use of bodies soconstructed, as well as in other types andstructures of bodies, and

articularl in the case ofautomobile bodme, it is esirablmto adjust the front or drivers seat either forwardly or backwardly and also to adjustably tiltthe same in order to accommodate different drivers or chauffeurs or other occupants or users of the seat. It is among the special purposes of my present invention to provide a structure in which these desirable results are attained and in carrying out my invention I propose to apply the same in connection with a seat frame comprising a sheet metal anel or stamping pressed to the desired a e and contour with integral side and hue lportions, and which in the usual or any we] known manapplied thereto. I have not deemed it nec-' essary in illustrating my invention to show the cushions or upholstelg.

rawi

In the accompanying ngs 11 desi nates a portion of the vehicle body shel which is m the form of a sheet metalstamping pressed to the desired sha and contour corresponding to the body lines of the vehicle and having an integral vertically extendin ortion 12 constitutin a portion of the ve lcle door post. In t e into channel sha with edge flanges 13. A vertically exten ing sheet metal portion 14: of channel shape is associated with the vertical portion 12 to complete the door post,

particular form shown the vertical portion 12 is pressed clamped in ad usted said vertical portion 14 is preferably a sheet steel stamping and isalso of channel. sha e engaging over the flanges 13 of the b0 y 'member 12. If desired vertical strengthening and spacing channel shape metal stampings 15 are interposed between the members 12 and 14. By this construction an efficient strong, sturdy door post is secured which affords also supports for the seat frame in accordance with my invention. The seat frame is in the form of a sheet metal stamping pressed to the desired shape and contour and having a back portion 16 and side portions 17. The upholstery, cushions or trim, not shown) are to be applied to this seat ra'me in any suitable or convenient manner. In orderto movably and adjustably support the seat frame, in the arrangements shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, and. 5, I secure asuitable stud' 18 to the u per end of each of the inner members 14 o the post structure. 'Each stud extends through an. elongated slot 19 formed through the side portions 17 of the seat frame anda clamp nut 20 on the inner threaded end of each stud serves to clamp the parts together in adj usted-position. Inner and outer slotted reinforcm strips 21, and 22, are placed on opposite des of the seat frame .side portions 17 the stud 18' passing through slots in said strips. By this construction the seat shell may be shifted forwardly or backwardly upon the studs 18 to the extent ermitted by the slots 19, and

nut 20. If desired t e seat frame, in any desired position thereof with reference to the studs 18, may be rocked ortilted about the axes of said studs. To accomplishithis in -in su porting the seat frame.

one arrangement embodying my invention I pivotally attach to the floor portion 23 of the seat frame a latch 24 having notches 25 therein, any one of which may be yieldingly pressed in any convenient manner into engagement with a transversely extending rod 26, secured fixedly in any convenient manner to the inner post member 14. adjacent itslower end. By detaching the latch 24 from rod 26'and tilting the seat frame about .the

axes of studs 18 some one or another of the notches 25 may be enga ed with the rod 26 to secure the desired ti ting adjustment of the seat frame. :If desired and in orderito assist in supporting the seat frame a trans vers'ely extending tie or brace member 27, which in the form shown is formed from a sheetmetal stamping may be secured in any convenient or suitable manner to the lower portions of the inner members 14 of the post structure. The upper edge of this supporting brace member constitutesa rest to aid In order vto permit the forward and backward as well as v the tilting adjustmentof the seat frame and at the same time to retain engaging relation between the tie brace 27 and the seat frame,

sired forward, backward, and tilting osition by' the clamp.

the .upper edge of said brace member works of the or portion, the keeper having a suflicient span to permit the desired range of adjustment of the seat frame.

In Figs. 6, 7,8, 9, and 10, I have shown a modified arrangement for securing the d;-

a justments of the seat frame. In this arrangement the adjustments above described are secured by employing suitable. plates 29 having arc-shaped slots 30 therein, .applied to the inner and outer surfaces, of the side portions 17 of the seat'frame. Stud bolts 31 secured to the post structure in any convenient manner extend through the slots 30 and also through corresponding slots in the side portion-17 of the seat frame. Slots 30 have seats 32 formed therein into any one of which the stud bolts 31 may be seated when the seat shell attains the desired adjustment,

In this form of my invention the seat frame is movablyheld upon the supporting brace member 27 by means of a tens1on spring 33.

From the foregoing description it WilLbe seen that I provide an exceedingly simple, strong, durable and eflicient structure for securing-a desirable range of adjustment of the seat frame forwardly or bac'kwardly as well as tiltably to accommodate any desired conditions of use, and while I have shown and described specifically a structure for accomplishing the desired urposes my invention, as defined in the caims,'is not to be confined to the details thereof.

=Havingnow set forth the objects and nature of m invention and. constructions embodying t v e principles thereof, what I claim as new and useful and'of my own invention and desire to secure'by Letters Patent is 1. An automobile body shell including vertically extending post portions, studs carried by the upper ends of said post portions,

.and a seat frame having slotted slde portions, said studs'extending through the slots in said side ortions.

2. The com ination with a vehicle body having vertical posts at the sides thereof, of a seat back frame :having side portions and studs carried by the upper ends of said vertical posts, said side portions being supported upon said studs for tilting movement thereon and also for shiftingmovement relatively thereto.

3. A vehicle body having vertically extending postportions at the sides thereof and a seat frame adjustably connected at its sides to the upper ends of said ost portions for tilting and forward and ackward adjustment thereon.

4. A vehicle-body "having verticall extending s1de. po.sts and'a seat frame ti tably connectedat the upper forward portions of its sides to the upper ends of said osts.

5. The combination with a veh cle body of said side portions engaging said studs for forward and backward and tilting adjustment thereon and means for securing the seat frame in adjusted Position.

6. The combination with a vehicle body having vertically extending post portions, and studs carried thereby at the upper ends thereof, of a seat frame having integral back and horizontally slotted side portions, said studs extending through the slots in said side portions and forming pivot supports for said frame to permit the latter to he tilted thereon and to be bodily adjusted hackwardly and forwardly with reference thereto, and clamping means carried by said studs for clamping the parts together in adjusted position.

7 The combination with a vehicle body having vertically extending side posts, and

studs carried thereb at the upper ends thereof, of a seat rame having integral back' and side portions, said side portlons engaging said studs at the forward upper parts thereof and means to adjustably tilt and bodily shift said seat frame forwardly and backwardly upon said studs.

'8. A vehicle frame having vertically extending post members, a transversely extending brace connecting the lower portions of said posts, and a seat frame resting upon said transverse member for forward and backward shifting movement thereon and movably connected to the upper portions of a said posts.

9. A vehicle body having verticall extending side posts and a transverse race connecting the lower portions of said posts a seat frame movably supported on said .brace for forward and backward movement thereon.

10. A vehicle body having vertically extending side posts and a transverse brace connecting the lower, portions of said posts, a seat frame movably supported by said brace for forward and backward movement thereon and connected to the upper ends of said posts for tilting and bodily movement forwardly and backwardly thereon, and means to retain said seat framein engagement with said brace durin the tilting and shifting movements of the ormer.

In testimony whereof I have hereuntoset my hand, in the presence of the subscribin witnesses, on this 14th day of March, A. 1916. i

. JOSEPH LEDWINKA.

Witnesses:

A. H. BUXBAUM, L. R. HILYAiw. 

